CN113219230A

CN113219230A - Sensor probe for contactless electrical measurement with a clamp having an adjustable inner region

Info

Publication number: CN113219230A
Application number: CN202110160497.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 胡美明; 全明炫; R·罗德里格斯
Original assignee: Fluke Corp
Current assignee: Fluke Corp
Priority date: 2020-02-05
Filing date: 2021-02-05
Publication date: 2021-08-06
Also published as: US20210239741A1; JP2021124512A; EP3862761B1; US11513140B2; EP3862761A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor probe for contactless electrical measurement with a clamp having an adjustable inner region. A sensor probe, comprising: a main body; a sleeve movable along the body between an open position and a closed position; a clamp having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw and the second jaw comprising an interior region within the clamp; and a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the open position, the first jaw and the second jaw create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass into an interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the closed position, the first and second jaws close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clip. The size of the inner region decreases as the sleeve moves toward the closed position. The non-contact sensor is configured to detect an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

Description

Sensor probe for contactless electrical measurement with a clamp having an adjustable inner region

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical parameter measurement devices and, more particularly, to sensor probes for electrical parameter measurement devices.

Background

A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure voltage in an electrical circuit. Instruments that measure more than one electrical parameter are known as multimeters and are used to measure many parameters that are typically required for service, troubleshooting, and maintenance applications. Such parameters typically include Alternating Current (AC) voltage and current, Direct Current (DC) voltage and current, and resistance or on-off. Other parameters, such as power characteristics, frequency, capacitance, and temperature, may also be measured to meet the requirements of a particular application.

For a conventional voltmeter or multimeter that measures AC voltage, it is necessary to bring at least two measuring electrodes or probes into galvanic contact with the conductor being measured, which usually requires cutting off a portion of the insulation of the insulated wire or providing a measuring terminal in advance. In addition to requiring exposed wires or terminals for galvanic contact, the step of contacting the voltmeter probe to a stripped wire or terminal can be quite dangerous due to the risk of electrical shock or electrocution.

Furthermore, when measuring current, it is necessary to insert a multimeter in series with the conductor to be measured at the break of the circuit. Also, for example, because multimeters test the ability of leads and circuitry to carry current, multimeters employing internal shunts can typically be limited to measuring a maximum of ten amps. In addition, multimeters must typically be protected using internal fuses to prevent excessive current levels from flowing through the multimeter, both for safety reasons and to prevent damage to the multimeter. The difficulty in removing the blown fuse coupled with the time and cost required to purchase a replacement fuse makes it desirable to obtain a non-contact measuring instrument that does not require an internal fuse.

"contactless" voltage measurement devices can be used to detect the presence of Alternating Current (AC) voltage without requiring galvanic contact with the circuit. When a voltage is detected, the user is alerted by an indication, such as a light, buzzer, or vibrating motor. However, such contactless AC voltage detectors only provide an indication of the presence or absence of an AC voltage, and do not provide an indication of the actual magnitude (e.g., RMS value) of the AC voltage.

The multimeter clamp improves the ability to measure universal multimeter current by employing an integral current clamp that senses current in the conductor being measured without having to cut the current carrying conductor or open the circuit that includes the current carrying conductor. The current clamp is typically provided in the same housing as a multimeter that uses a separate test probe to measure other parameters, such as voltage and resistance, in a conventional manner. The current clamp is closed around a current carrying conductor, which may comprise, for example, a copper wire or a bus bar, to sense the magnetic field generated by the current. The current clamp provides a voltage signal for measurement by a multimeter that calculates and displays the measured current level. Because no current is shunted from the current carrying conductor through the multimeter clamp, the limit on the maximum current that can be measured is largely eliminated. Likewise, the internal fuse in a multimeter clamp is eliminated.

However, conventional clamp multimeters require a large physical space for multimeter and clamping operations, and are therefore difficult to use in confined spaces such as electrical cabinets. Clamp-on multimeters also tend to be physically heavy.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed herein is an electrical parameter sensor probe operable to detect an electrical parameter in an insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the insulated conductor. The sensor probe can be generalized to include a body, a sleeve, a clamp, and a non-contact sensor. In at least one embodiment, the sleeve is mounted to the body and is movable along the body between a closed position and an open position. The pliers include a first jaw and an opposing second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is positioned at least partially within the sleeve when the sleeve is in the closed position. The first and second jaws contain an interior region within the clip when the first and second jaws are closed against each other. A non-contact sensor is coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp. The non-contact sensor is operable to sense at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

When the sleeve is retracted along the body to an open position, the first and second jaws are configured to separate from each other and create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass between the jaws into an interior region within the clamp. The first and second jaws are configured to close the gap and thereby close an interior region within the jaws when the sleeve extends along the body toward a closed position. The size of the interior region within the clamp can be adjusted by movement of the sleeve along the body.

In various embodiments, at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is coupled to a hinge. When the sleeve is retracted toward the open position, the jaws pivot about the hinge away from the other jaw to create a gap. In some embodiments, the first jaw and the second jaw are each coupled to a hinge, and when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position, both the first jaw and the second jaw pivot away from each other about the hinge to create the gap.

In various embodiments, at least a portion of the sleeve is positioned within the body when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body is positioned within the sleeve when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position.

The sensor probe may include a biasing element that biases the sleeve toward the closed position. The sensor probe may include a locking element that releasably secures the sleeve in at least one of the open position or the closed position when the sleeve is retracted to the open position or extended to the closed position, respectively.

The sensor probe can include a biasing element that biases at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw away from the other of the first jaw or the second jaw when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position. Alternatively, the sensor probe may include a biasing element that biases at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw toward the other of the first jaw or the second jaw when the sleeve is extended toward the closed position.

In various embodiments, a greater portion of at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is exposed outside of the sleeve when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position. In some embodiments, a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is operable to sense a voltage in the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp.

In various embodiments, the size of the interior region within the clip decreases as the sleeve extends toward the closed position. In some embodiments, when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp, the reduced size of the interior region causes the insulated conductor to be positioned proximate to the non-contact sensor.

In various embodiments, the non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is a first non-contact sensor, and the sensor probe further includes a second non-contact sensor positioned on the first jaw or the second jaw at or near a periphery of the interior region within the jaw. The second non-contact sensor is operable to sense at least one additional electrical parameter of the insulated conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp.

The apparatus for measuring an electrical parameter in an insulated conductor may be summarized as including an electrical parameter sensor probe according to any of the above-described embodiments for measuring an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor being measured, together with control circuitry that processes sensor data indicative of signals detected by the non-contact sensor in the sensor probe.

In various embodiments, the apparatus may include a main body including a control circuit. In such embodiments, the sensor probe is removably connectable to the at least one interface connector of the main body. In other embodiments, the body of the sensor probe contains control circuitry.

In various embodiments, a sensor probe operable to detect an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor may be summarized as including: a body having a sleeve movable along the body between an open position and a closed position; a clip having a first jaw and an opposing second jaw, the first and second jaws when closed against one another containing an interior region within the clip; and a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp. The non-contact sensor is operable to detect at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

When the sleeve is in the open position, the first and second jaws are positioned apart from each other to create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass between the jaws into an interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the closed position, the first and second jaws are positioned to close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clip. As the sleeve moves toward the closed position, the size of the interior region within the jaws decreases.

In at least some embodiments, the sensor probe is configured such that when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp, the first jaw and the second jaw detect current of the insulated conductor and the contactless sensor detects voltage of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of at least one non-limiting embodiment of an electrical parameter sensor probe including a body, a sleeve, a clamp, and a non-contact sensor, wherein the sleeve is shown in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for measuring an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor, the apparatus including a sensor probe communicatively coupled to a measurement instrument as shown in FIG. 1, with the sleeve shown in an open position and jaws of a clamp open.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus of fig. 3, with the sleeve shown in a partially closed position and the jaws of the clamp closed about the insulated conductor to be tested.

FIG. 5 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1 with the sleeve shown in a partially closed position and the jaws of the clamp closed about the insulated conductor to be tested, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1 with the sleeve shown in an open position and the jaws of the clamp open.

FIG. 7 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1 with a rear portion of the main body and a rear portion of the sleeve removed.

FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1 with the front portion of the body and the front portion of the sleeve removed.

FIG. 9 is a right front perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of an electrical parameter sensor probe including a body, a sleeve, a clamp, and a non-contact sensor, wherein the sleeve is shown in a closed position.

FIG. 10 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 9 with the sleeve shown in an open position and the jaws of the clamp open.

FIG. 12 is a front right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 9 with the sleeve shown in a partially closed position and the jaws of the clamp closed about the insulated conductor to be tested.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and the angles and spaces between elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not necessarily intended to convey information regarding any desired shape of the element, and may have been selected merely for ease of recognition in the drawings.

Detailed Description

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electrical parameter sensor probes and to apparatus and methods for measuring electrical parameters (e.g., voltage, current) in insulated electrical conductors (e.g., insulated wires) without requiring galvanic connections to the conductors. As described herein, the electrical parameter measurement device is configured to measure one or more electrical parameters in the insulated conductor. Such devices that do not require galvanic connections to conductors to measure parameters are contactless devices. As used herein, a "contactless" device or sensor is operable to detect an electrical parameter in an insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.

In various embodiments, a non-contact electrical parameter sensor probe is provided. The sensor probe is operable to accurately measure the voltage in the insulated conductor under test and possibly also the current in the insulated conductor under test. The sensor probe includes a body, a sleeve, a clamp having opposing jaws, and a non-contact sensor coupled to at least a portion of the sleeve. The sleeve is mounted to the body and is movable along the body between a closed position and an open position. Within the clip, between the opposing jaws is an interior region that is selectively adjustable in size. As the sleeve moves toward the closed position, the size of the inner region may decrease until the insulated conductor under test in the inner region is positioned proximate to the portion of the sleeve that includes the non-contact sensor. Thus, positioned proximate to the conductor, the non-contact sensor may obtain an accurate measurement of the conductor (e.g., an accurate measurement of voltage). Also, in at least some embodiments, the clamp is closed around the conductor and is configured to obtain accurate current measurements of the conductor. Further, the obtained voltage and current measurements may be used to derive one or more electrical parameters, such as power or phase angle. The measured electrical parameter may be provided to a user, for example, via a display, or may be transmitted to one or more external systems via a suitable wired or wireless connection.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments disclosed. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that additional embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth.

Furthermore, reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Moreover, the appearances of the phrase "in at least one embodiment" in this specification do not necessarily refer to only one embodiment. The particular features, structures, or characteristics of the various embodiments described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in further embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of at least one non-limiting embodiment of a sensor probe 10 operable for sensing an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor. The sensor probe 10 includes a body 12, a sleeve 14, a clamp 16, and a non-contact sensor 20 (see fig. 3). In fig. 1, the sleeve 14 is shown in a closed position. FIG. 2 depicts a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe 10 shown in FIG. 1.

The body 12 of the sensor probe 10 includes a front portion 12a coupled to a rear portion 12 b. The front portion 12a may be fixedly coupled or removably coupled to the rear portion 12 b. In fig. 2, a screw or other suitable fastener may be inserted through an aperture 13 in the rear portion 12b to couple the rear portion 12b to the front portion 12a of the body.

Similarly, sleeve 14 includes a forward portion 14a and a rearward portion 14 b. The front portion 14a may be fixedly coupled or removably coupled to the rear portion 14 b. In fig. 2, a screw or other suitable fastener may be inserted through an aperture 15 in the rear portion 14b to couple the rear portion 14b to the front portion 14a of the sleeve.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, at the juncture between the front and

rear portions

12a, 12b of the body 12 is a track 18 along which the sleeve 14 can slide. The forward portion 14a of the sleeve includes a lip 17 that fits into a track 18 so that the sleeve 14 is slidably coupled to the body 12. Preferably, the lip 17 and the track 18 are implemented on both sides (e.g., right and left sides) of the sensor probe 10, but in some embodiments the lip 17 and the track 18 may be implemented on only one side of the sensor probe 10. Using the track 18, the sleeve 14 is movable along the body 12 between a closed position, as shown in fig. 1, and an open position, as shown, for example, in fig. 3, as will be described further herein.

The pliers 16 include a first jaw 16a and an opposing second jaw 16 b. In various embodiments, at least one of the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b is positioned at least partially within the sleeve 14 when the sleeve is in the closed position. In fig. 1 and 2, with the sleeve 14 in the closed position, both the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b are partially positioned within the sleeve 14. Specifically, as shown, the right side 22 of the clamp 16 is shown positioned within the right side 20 of the front portion 14a of the sleeve 14. The left side of the clamp 16 is also positioned within the left side of the front portion 14a of the sleeve 14, e.g., as at least partially depicted in fig. 7.

In fig. 1 and 2, the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b are closed against each other. When the first and second jaws are closed against each other, the first and second jaws contain an interior region 24 within the forceps 16. As will be described further herein, the size of the interior region 24 can be adjusted by movement of the sleeve 14 along the body 12.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for measuring an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor. In FIG. 3, the apparatus includes a sensor probe 10 communicatively coupled to a measurement instrument 40 as shown in FIG. 1. With respect to the sensor probe 10, the sleeve 14 is shown in an open position in FIG. 3. Further, the

jaws

16a, 16b of the pliers 16 are open (i.e., separated from each other).

The sleeve 14 includes a concave saddle 14c having a non-contact sensor 20 (e.g., a non-contact voltage sensor) coupled thereto or positioned therein. The non-contact sensor 20 is operable to sense one or more electrical parameters in an insulated conductor 30 to be tested (see fig. 4 and 5). Additionally or alternatively, one or more non-contact sensors may be coupled to or positioned in one or both of the

jaws

16a, 16b of the pliers 16. The non-contact sensor 20 (and other non-contact sensors, if included) may be electrically connected to a cable 42 so that signals from the sensor are communicated to the main body 41 of the measuring instrument 40 for processing. The contactless sensor may comprise a contactless voltage sensor, a contactless current sensor, a hall effect element, a current transformer, a fluxgate sensor, an Anisotropic (AMR) sensor, a Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, or other type of sensor operable to sense an electrical parameter of the conductor 30 without the need for making a current contact. Various non-limiting examples of non-contact sensors are disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/421,124 filed on 11/2016; us patent No. 10,119,998 published on 6.11.2018; us patent No. 10,139,435 published on 27/11/2018; us patent No. 10,281,503 published on 5, 7, 2019; U.S. pre-grant publication No. 2018/0136260, published on day 5 and 17 of 2018, and U.S. patent No. 10,352,967, published on day 7 and 16 of 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus of fig. 3, with the sleeve 14 shown in a partially closed position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the clamp closed about the insulated conductor 30 to be tested. Similarly, FIG. 5 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe of FIG. 1 with the sleeve shown in a partially closed position and the jaws of the clamp closed about the insulated conductor to be tested, as shown in FIG. 4.

The non-contact sensor 20 in fig. 3 is coupled to at least a portion of the sleeve and is positioned at or near the periphery of an interior region 24 within the clamp 16. When insulated conductor 30 is positioned within interior region 24 as shown in fig. 4 and 5, non-contact sensor 20 is operable to sense at least one electrical parameter of insulated conductor 30 without requiring galvanic contact with conductor 30.

The apparatus shown in figures 3 and 4 comprises a sensor probe 10 and a measurement instrument 40 having a main body (or housing) 41. In fig. 3 and 4, the scale of the sensor probe 10 is enlarged compared to the scale of the measuring instrument 40 in order to better depict the details of the sensor probe 10. Generally, in practical embodiments, the sensor probe 10 is smaller in size than the measurement instrument 40.

The body 12 of the sensor probe 10 is coupled to the interface connector 48 by the cable 42. The main body 41 includes an interface connector 50 that removably couples with a corresponding interface connector 48 of the sensor probe 10.

The main body 41 also includes a display 44 that presents measurement results and other information to a user of the measurement instrument 40 and a user interface 46 for the user to input information and/or provide instructions to the measurement instrument 40. The display 44 may be any suitable type of display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an organic LED display, a plasma display, or an electronic ink display. The main body 41 may include one or more audio or tactile outputs (not shown), such as one or more speakers, buzzers, vibrating devices, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 46 includes a plurality of buttons, but in other embodiments, the user interface 46 may additionally or alternatively include one or more other types of input devices, such as a touchpad, a touch screen, a wheel, a knob, a dial, a microphone, and so forth.

The main body 41 may also include a power source (not shown), such as a battery or battery pack, for supplying power to the measurement instrument 40 and possibly various components of the sensor probe 10. The main body 41 also includes control circuitry 52 that controls various operations of the measuring instrument 40, such as receiving signals from the sensor probe 10, determining one or more electrical parameters of the insulated conductor 30 to be measured, and outputting measurement data (e.g., to the display 44). The control circuit 52 may include one or more processors (e.g., microcontrollers, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs), one or more types of memory (e.g., ROM, RAM, flash memory, other non-transitory storage media), and/or one or more other types of processing or control related components.

In at least some embodiments, the main body 41 may also include a wireless communication subsystem 54, which may includeContaining Bluetooth^®Module, Wi-Fi^®Module, ZIGBEE^®One or more of a module, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, and the like. Accordingly, the measurement instrument 40 may wirelessly communicate with an external receiving system (such as a computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, etc.) via the wireless communication subsystem 54 in order to transmit measurement results to the external system or receive instruction signals or input information from the external system. Additionally or alternatively, the main body 41 may include a wired communication subsystem, such as a USB interface or the like.

Although only one sensor probe 10 is shown in fig. 3 and 4 for purposes of explanation, in at least some embodiments, multiple sensor probes may be removably coupled to the body 41 of the measurement instrument 40. Further, the plurality of sensor probes may differ in at least one of shape, structure, or function, for example, to provide different functionality to the measurement instrument 40.

In at least some embodiments, the interface connector 48 of the sensor probe 10 can be configured as one of a plug and a receptacle, and the interface connector 50 of the main body 41 can be configured as the other of a plug and a receptacle. In other embodiments, the

interface connectors

48 and 50 may be configured as different types of connectors operable to removably couple to one another.

Further, in some embodiments, the sensor probe 10 may be fixedly connected to the main body 41 by a cable 42. In still other embodiments, the sensor probe 10 and the main body 41 may be formed together in a single housing such that the cable 42 is not required.

In operation, in at least some embodiments, the sensor probe 10 can include circuitry that transmits measurement data from the sensor 20 or the clamp 16 to the main body 41 of the measurement instrument 40, and the control circuitry 52 determines one or more electrical parameters of the conductor 30 based on the received measurement data. For example, the control circuitry 52 may utilize one or more mathematical formulas, look-up tables, calibration factors, etc. to determine one or more electrical parameters. Furthermore, some electrical parameters (such as power or phase angle) may be derived from other determined electrical parameters (such as current and voltage).

Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, sleeve 14 is shown extended in the closed position, as described above. As the sleeve 14 is retracted along the body 12 (i.e., along the track 18) toward the open position shown in fig. 3, the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b are configured to separate from one another and create a gap 26. The gap 26 allows the insulated conductor 30 to pass between the

jaws

16a, 16b into the interior region 24 within the jaw 16, as shown in fig. 4 and 5. As the sleeve 14 extends along the body (i.e., along the track 18) toward the closed position, the first and

second jaws

16a, 16b are configured to close the gap 26 and thereby the interior region 24 within the clip 16, as shown in fig. 4 and 5.

In at least some embodiments, as the sleeve 14 moves along the body 12 toward the closed position, a side of the sleeve 14 (e.g., the side 20 of the front portion 14a of the sleeve) mechanically urges the

jaws

16a, 16b toward one another to close the interior region 24 within the jaws 16. The

jaws

16a, 16b are thus positioned within at least a portion of the sleeve 14 when the sleeve is in a closed position (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) or in a partially closed position (as shown in fig. 4 and 5).

In the embodiment of fig. 1-8, and in particular in fig. 3, the rear portion 14b of the sleeve 14 is positioned within the rear portion 12b of the main body 12 when the sleeve 14 is retracted toward the open position. In this embodiment, a user of the sensor probe 10 is able to securely grip the body 12 while pulling (or retracting) the sleeve 14 down to the open position. Similarly, the user can maintain a secure hold on the body 12 while pushing (or extending) the sleeve 14 upward toward the closed position.

Also, for the embodiments of the sensor probe 10 described herein, a portion or all of the body 12 is positioned within the sleeve 14 when the sleeve 14 is retracted toward the open position. In the embodiment of fig. 1-8, and in particular in fig. 3, when the sleeve 14 is in the open position, the front portion 12a of the body 12 is positioned behind the front portion 14a of the sleeve 14 (i.e., within the sleeve 14).

When the sleeve 14 is in the closed position (e.g., as shown in fig. 1 and 2 and in fig. 9 and 10), a top portion of the

jaws

16a and 16b are exposed outside of the sleeve 14. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-8, the rear portions of

jaws

16a, 16b are also partially exposed outside of sleeve 14, while the front portions of

jaws

16a, 16b are contained within side walls 20 of sleeve 14. When the sleeve 14 is retracted toward the open position (partially or fully), a greater portion of at least one of the

jaws

16a, 16b is exposed outside of the sleeve 14.

When the sleeve 14 is in the open position, as shown, for example, in fig. 3, the interior area 24 within the clamp 16 is maximized. This provides sufficient space for the insulated conductor 30, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, to pass through the gap 26 and be located within the interior region 24. The size of the interior region 24 decreases as the sleeve 14 extends toward the closed position. In at least one embodiment, the sleeve 14 extends upwardly, thereby reducing the size of the interior region 24 until the sleeve 14 is in a partially closed position and against the insulated conductor 30 as shown in fig. 4 and 5, or until the sleeve 14 is in a fully closed position. Thus, when the insulated conductor 30 is positioned within the inner region 24 of the clamp 16, the reduced size of the inner region 24 causes the insulated conductor 30 to be positioned within the saddle 14c of the sleeve and positioned proximate to the non-contact sensor 20. Depending on the size of the insulated conductor 30, the

closure jaws

16a, 16b may also abut the insulated conductor 30 as shown in fig. 4 and 5, and thus help maintain the position of the insulated conductor 30 within the saddle 14c proximate to the non-contact sensor 20.

As mentioned earlier, the sensor probe 10 may include more than one non-contact sensor. In at least some embodiments, the non-contact sensor 20 coupled to the sleeve 14 is a first non-contact sensor, and the sensor probe 10 further includes a second non-contact sensor positioned on the first jaw 16a and/or the second jaw 16b at or near the periphery of the interior region 24 within the jaw 16. The second non-contact sensor is operable to sense at least one additional electrical parameter of insulated conductor 30 when insulated conductor 30 is positioned within interior region 24.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor probe 10 of fig. 1, with the sleeve 14 shown retracted in an open position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the jaws open, thereby creating a gap 24 for passing an electrical conductor into an interior region within the jaws. As shown in fig. 6, the structural support 62 is positioned inside the body 12 between the

jaws

16a, 16 b. The structural support 62 comprises, in part, an upwardly projecting knob on which the biasing element 60 is located. The biasing element 60 is located between the structural support 62 and the upper end of the sleeve 14 and biases the sleeve 14 toward the closed position.

In fig. 6, the biasing element 60 is a spring. With the sleeve 14 shown in the open position in fig. 6, the spring 60 is compressed against the structural support 62. As will be discussed below, fig. 7 and 8 show the spring 60 decompressed, with the sleeve 14 in the closed position. Thus, the sleeve 14 is normally maintained in the closed position until a user of the sensor probe 10 pulls (i.e., retracts) the sleeve 14 downward toward the open position. When the user releases the sleeve 14, the biasing force of the spring 60 urges (i.e., extends) the sleeve 14 upward toward the closed position.

In some embodiments, the sensor probe 10 further includes a locking element 59 that releasably secures the sleeve 14 in at least one of the open position or the closed position when the sleeve is retracted to the open position or extended to the closed position, respectively. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the locking elements 59 are detents that project inwardly from the sleeve 14 into the side of the body 12. The detent 59 releasably secures the sleeve 14 in the open position. In other embodiments, such detents may protrude outward, or alternative mechanisms may be employed to releasably secure the sleeve 14 to the body 12.

In some embodiments, the sensor probe 10 further includes a biasing element 64 that biases at least one of the first jaw 16a and/or the second jaw 16b away from the other of the first jaw 16a or the second jaw 16b and opens the clamp 16 when the sleeve 14 is retracted toward the open position. The embodiment of the sensor probe 10 shown in fig. 6 includes a biasing element 64 in the form of two torsion springs that abut the structural support 62 on one side and the lower leg of the

jaws

16a, 16b on the other side. With the structural support 62 fixed, the torsion spring 64 applies an outward biasing force to the

jaws

16a, 16 b. Thus, when the sleeve 14 is in the open position and the

jaws

16a, 16b are exposed beyond the sides 20 of the sleeve 14, the

jaws

16a, 16b are rotated outwardly and away from each other until the lower legs of the

jaws

16a, 16b abut the inner side walls of the body 12. For simplicity of illustration, the torsion spring 64 is not shown in fig. 7 and 8.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor probe 10 can include a biasing element that biases at least one of the first jaw 16a or the second jaw 16b toward the other of the first jaw 16a or the second jaw 16b when the sleeve is extended toward the closed position. In such alternative embodiments, the sensor probe 10 includes a mechanism coupled to the sleeve 14 that pushes the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b away from each other with a force greater than the biasing force of the biasing element when the sleeve 14 is retracted to the open position. When the sleeve 14 is returned to the closed position, the mechanism allows the biasing element to urge the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b toward each other into the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe shown in FIG. 1 with the rear portion 12b of the main body 12 and the rear portion 14b of the sleeve 14 removed, and FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the sensor probe shown in FIG. 1 with the front portion 12a of the main body 12 and the front portion 14a of the sleeve 14 removed. In fig. 7 and 8, the sleeve 14 is extended in the closed position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the jaws are closed.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first jaw 16a and/or the second jaw 16b is coupled to a hinge 74, and when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position, at least one of the first jaw 16a or the second jaw 16b pivots about the hinge 74 away from the

other jaw

16a, 16b to create the gap 24 (see fig. 6). In other embodiments, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b are each coupled to a hinge 74, and when the sleeve 14 is retracted toward the open position, both the first jaw 16a and the second jaw 16b pivot away from each other about the hinge 14 to create the gap 24.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, jaw 16a includes a lower leg 70a coupled to a leg 72a, and jaw 16b includes a lower leg 70b coupled to a leg 72 b. Both the leg 72a and the leg 72b are rotatably coupled to the hinge 74. As the sleeve 14 moves (i.e., extends) toward the closed position, the

jaws

16a, 16b pivot about the hinge 74 until the

jaws

16a, 16b contact each other as shown. The support structure 62 may be sized, shaped, and positioned such that the

lower legs

70a, 70b contact the outer sidewall of the support structure 62 when the sleeve 14 is moved toward the closed position.

When the sleeve 14 is moved (i.e., retracted) to the open position, the

jaws

16a, 16b pivot about the hinge 74 until the

lower legs

70a, 70b contact the inner side walls of the body 12. In some embodiments, when sleeve 14 is in the open position and no longer constrains the position of

jaws

16a, 16b,

jaws

16a, 16b are free to pivot about hinge 74. In some embodiments, a biasing element (such as a torsion spring 64 shown in fig. 6) is positioned within the sensor probe 10 to exert an outward biasing force on the

lower legs

70a, 70b such that the

jaws

16a, 16b tend to rotate apart when the sleeve 14 is moved to the open position.

The sensor probe 10 may also include circuitry within the body 12 to control the functions of the sensor probe 10 and to communicate with the measurement instrument 40 shown in fig. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, such circuitry (not shown) may be positioned in the interior space 56 of the support structure 62. The circuit may be coupled to the contactless sensor 20 by a wire (not shown) to receive a signal from the sensor 20 indicative of a sensed parameter of the insulated conductor, such as voltage. In embodiments where the

jaws

16a, 16b are configured to sense current flowing in an insulated conductor (e.g., in a manner similar to known current clamps), circuitry may also be coupled to the

jaws

16a, 16b to receive a signal indicative of the detected current of the insulated conductor.

The cable 42 shown in fig. 3 and 4 may extend into the sensor probe 10 via an aperture 76 in the body 12. Wires within the cable 42 may also extend through the apertures 57 in the leg 72b and the apertures 58 in the support structure 62, and electrically couple to such circuitry within the interior space 56.

Fig. 9-12 illustrate another non-limiting embodiment of a sensor probe 80 constructed according to the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 9 provides a right front perspective view of a sensor probe 80 that includes a body 82, a sleeve 84, a clamp 16, and a non-contact sensor 20. The sleeve 84 is shown in the closed position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the clamp 16 are likewise closed. FIG. 10 provides a rear right perspective view of the sensor probe 80 shown in FIG. 9.

With respect to fig. 11 and 12, fig. 11 provides a front right perspective view of the sensor probe 80 with the sleeve 14 shown in an open position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the clamp 16 open. Fig. 12 provides a right front perspective view of the sensor probe 80 with the sleeve 14 shown in a partially closed position and the

jaws

16a, 16b of the clamp 16 closed about the insulated conductor 100 to be tested.

The sensor probe 80 of fig. 9-12 differs from the sensor probe 10 of fig. 1-8 in that the sleeve 84 completely surrounds the body 82 when the sleeve 84 is retracted to the open position. The sleeve 84 includes a front portion 84a and a rear portion 84b coupled to each other. Similarly, the body 82 includes a front portion 82a and a rear portion 82b coupled to each other. In the closed position, one or both side walls 86 of the sleeve 84 abut one or both of the

jaws

16a, 16b and constrain the

jaws

16a, 16b in the closed position, as shown in fig. 9 and 10.

When the sleeve 84 is moved (i.e., retracted) to the open position, as shown in fig. 11, the front and

rear portions

82a, 82b of the body 82 are positioned within the front and

rear portions

84a, 84b of the sleeve 84. Further,

jaws

16a, 16b pivot outward (e.g., about a hinge similar to hinge 74) to separate and create gap 88. A biasing element (which may be similar to the torsion spring 64 shown in fig. 6, for example) may be positioned within the sensor probe 80 to apply an outward biasing force to the

jaws

16a, 16 b.

The sleeve 84 includes a concave saddle 84c having a non-contact sensor 90 (e.g., a non-contact voltage sensor) coupled thereto or positioned therein. Like the earlier described contactless sensor 20, the contactless sensor 90 is operable to sense one or more electrical parameters in an insulated conductor 100 to be tested, as shown in FIG. 12. Also, as described above, one or more non-contact sensors may additionally or alternatively be coupled to or positioned in one or both of the

jaws

16a, 16b of the pliers 16.

As the sleeve 84 extends toward the closed position, the size of the interior region 92 within the sleeve 84 decreases. In at least one embodiment, the sleeve 84 extends upwardly, thereby reducing the size of the interior region 92 until the sleeve 44 is in a partially closed position and against the insulated conductor 100 as shown in fig. 12, or until the sleeve 84 is in a fully closed position. Thus, when the insulated conductor 100 is positioned within the interior region of the clamp 16, the reduced size of the interior region 92 causes the insulated conductor 100 to be positioned within the saddle 84c of the sleeve 84 and positioned proximate to the non-contact sensor 90. Depending on the size of insulated conductor 100,

closure jaws

16a, 16b may also abut insulated conductor 100 as shown in fig. 12 and help maintain the position of insulated conductor 100 proximate non-contact sensor 90.

All other internal configurations and functions of the sensor probe 80 may be similar or identical to those shown and described above with reference to fig. 1-8.

It is to be understood that the various embodiments described above may be combined to provide yet further embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent with the teachings and definitions herein, the disclosures of the following applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/421,124 filed 2016, 11/2016; us patent No. 10,119,998 published on 6.11.2018; us patent No. 10,139,435 published on 27/11/2018; us patent No. 10,281,503 published on 5, 7, 2019; U.S. pre-authorization publication No. 2018/0136260 published on day 5/17 in 2018, U.S. patent No. 10,352,967 published on day 7/16 in 2019, and U.S. pre-authorization publication No. 2019/0346492 published on day 14 in 11/14 in 2019. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, patent applications and patent publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in view of the above embodiments. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A sensor probe operable to sense an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor, the sensor probe comprising:

a main body;

a sleeve fitted to the body, wherein the sleeve is movable along the body between a closed position and an open position;

a clamp comprising a first jaw and an opposing second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is positioned at least partially within the sleeve when the sleeve is in the closed position, and the first jaw and the second jaw comprise an interior region within the clamp when the first jaw and the second jaw are closed against one another; and

a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp, wherein the non-contact sensor is operable for sensing at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp,

wherein when the sleeve is retracted along the body toward the open position, the first and second jaws are configured to separate from each other and create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass between the jaws into the interior region within the clamp, and when the sleeve is extended along the body toward the closed position, the first and second jaws are configured to close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clamp, and

wherein the size of the interior region within the clamp is adjustable by movement of the sleeve along the body.

2. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is coupled to a hinge, and when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position, the at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is configured to pivot about the hinge away from the other jaw to create the gap.

3. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are each coupled to a hinge, and when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position, both the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to pivot away from each other about the hinge to create the gap.

4. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is positioned within the body when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position.

5. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is positioned within the sleeve when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position.

6. The sensor probe of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element that biases the sleeve toward the closed position.

7. The sensor probe of claim 1, further comprising a locking element releasably securing the sleeve in at least one of the open position or the closed position when the sleeve is retracted to the open position or extended to the closed position, respectively.

8. The sensor probe of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element that biases at least one of the first or second jaws away from the other of the first or second jaws when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position or biases at least one of the first or second jaws toward the other of the first or second jaws when the sleeve is extended toward the closed position.

9. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein a greater portion of at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is exposed outside of the sleeve when the sleeve is retracted toward the open position.

10. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is operable to sense a voltage in the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp.

11. The sensor probe of claim 10, wherein the size of the interior region within the jaw decreases as the sleeve extends toward the closed position.

12. The sensor probe of claim 11, wherein the reduced size of the inner region causes the insulated conductor to be positioned proximate to the non-contact sensor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the inner region of the clamp.

13. The sensor probe of claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is a first non-contact sensor, the sensor probe further comprising a second non-contact sensor positioned on the first jaw or the second jaw at or near the periphery of the interior region within the jaw, wherein the second non-contact sensor is operable to sense at least one additional electrical parameter of the insulated conductor when positioned within the interior region of the jaw.

14. An apparatus configured to measure an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor probe, the sensor probe comprising:

a main body;

a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp, wherein the non-contact sensor is operable for sensing at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp; and

a control circuit configured to process sensor data indicative of a signal detected by the non-contact sensor and to measure the electrical parameter of the insulated conductor,

wherein when the sleeve is retracted along the body toward the open position, the first and second jaws are configured to separate from each other and create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass between the jaws into the interior region within the clamp, and when the sleeve is extended along the body toward the closed position, the first and second jaws close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clamp, and

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a main body containing the control circuitry, wherein the sensor probe is removably connectable to at least one interface connector of the main body.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the body of the sensor probe includes the control circuit.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is operable to sense a voltage in the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is within the interior region of the clamp.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve is a first non-contact sensor, the sensor probe further comprising a second non-contact sensor positioned on the first jaw or the second jaw at or near the periphery of the interior region within the clamp, wherein the second non-contact sensor is operable to sense at least one additional electrical parameter of the insulated conductor when positioned within the interior region of the clamp.

19. A sensor probe operable to sense an electrical parameter of an insulated conductor, the sensor probe comprising:

a body having a sleeve movable along the body between an open position and a closed position;

a clamp having a first jaw and an opposing second jaw, the first and second jaws when closed against one another containing an interior region within the clamp; and

a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a periphery of the interior region within the clamp, wherein the non-contact sensor is operable to detect at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the clamp,

wherein when the sleeve is in the open position, the first and second jaws are positioned apart from each other to create a gap that allows the insulated conductor to pass between the jaws into the interior region within the clamp, and when the sleeve is in the closed position, the first and second jaws are positioned to close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clamp, and

wherein the size of the interior region within the jaws decreases as the sleeve moves toward the closed position.

20. The sensor probe of claim 19, wherein when the insulated conductor is positioned within the interior region of the jaw, the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to detect a current of the insulated conductor and the non-contact sensor is configured to detect a voltage of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.